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Old 08-09-2018, 05:59 PM   #1
Bob Bo
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Tow Vehicle for Montana 3810MS

Hey all,

We just purchased a Montana 3810MS and I'm trying to make sure I've got enough truck to pull this thing. Anyone that can give me some advice, I appreciate it.

Tow Vehicle:
2018 Ram 2500
6.7L Diesel
Automatic
4x4
Long Bed
Crew Cab

Montana 3810MS
Dry Weight: 13385lbs
Carry Cap: 3365
Hitch Weight: 2745lbs

Dealership seems to think I'll be absolutely fine, but I'd like to get the thoughts from experienced folks. Again, any help is appreciated. Hopefully we haven't gotten ahead of ourselves.
Thanks,
Bob
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:10 PM   #2
rhagfo
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Well I am NOT the weight Police, but you are looking at about 15,000# loaded. That weight you will be pushing the limits of your tires. You are looking at between 3,000# and 3,750# on the pin.
Not stating too much for axle as the axle manufacturer rates it for about 9,500# so your issue will be tires and springs!
That 5er is into 350/3500 DRW, this from one that tows a 12,000# 5er with a 2001 2500!
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:22 PM   #3
Bob Bo
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"your issue will be tires and springs!"

Can I upgrade these to cover myself?
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:33 PM   #4
chuckster57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bo View Post
"your issue will be tires and springs!"

Can I upgrade these to cover myself?
Your vehicle was certified at the factory and the yellow label on the drivers door is your limiting factor. You can do whatever you want to “upgrade” the suspension, but if the numbers still exceed your GVWR, then LEGALLY your over.

Lots of people are over and don’t worry about it. Lots of people argue that the 3/4 ton and one ton are the same thing, I’m not here to argue if it is/isn’t, bottom line-

What ever the sticker says, is what you can LEGALLY carry/tow. Do what makes YOU feel comfortable, just be sure that your comfortable with being able to control your rig in an emergency situation. If that makes me a member of the weight police, then so be it.
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:38 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bo View Post
"your issue will be tires and springs!"

Can I upgrade these to cover myself?
So have you towed the empty unit home yet??
If you can hit a scale on the way home, see where your empty weights are.
My 2001 has a camper package with larger (3500 springs) and optional larger tires 3,415# capacity. I am as big as I would like to go.
That 15,000# 5er is large even for a 3500 SRW.
You can put all the band-aids you want on the TV, but it still has a maximum 10,000# GVWR, even a factory 3500 SRW maxes out at I think 12,400#.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:08 PM   #6
Bob Bo
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No, its still at the dealership. I don't actually take delivery for a few weeks.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:10 PM   #7
sourdough
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You're dropping almost 17k on a 3/4 ton truck???? Really? With a sane mind? The tongue on it alone will run maybe 3500 lbs. loaded. Yes, you have gotten ahead of yourself. On a day when I was thinking I was crazy, I wouldn't even think of what you are doing....the dealer is ignorant and stupid. You are putting you, and everyone you know/love, in danger trying to make that marriage work. You need at least a 1 ton dually - hopefully you can recognize that.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:16 PM   #8
Bob Bo
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I appreciate the concern, but take a deep breath. I'm here asking the question to make sure for that exact reason...not to justify my purchase. I was concerned that I was being fed a line just to make a sale. Again, thanks though
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:32 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Bob Bo View Post
I appreciate the concern, but take a deep breath. I'm here asking the question to make sure for that exact reason...not to justify my purchase. I was concerned that I was being fed a line just to make a sale. Again, thanks though

Very few dealers will tell you that you don’t have enough TV, they are more interested in gross profits. I am glad your taking the time to ask, and it is a subject that can get heated in a hurry.

The best thing you can do is “run the numbers”. Use the GVWR of the trailer, not the empty weight and “ I won’t Carry much”.

Weigh your truck loaded with everything you’ll carry including the hitch. Then subtract that number from TV GVWR and see where it is.

I suspect you’ll be over and I refer you back to my original post.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:42 PM   #10
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There are so many pretty fifth wheels out there.. I have a 3/4 ton duramax short bed 4x4 and we looked at Montana and Alpines... both are heavy with a lot of pin weight empty.

For that reason we bought the smallest Alpine at 34 feet, empty weight 11.5K with 2490 pin weight... loaded up for our standard traveling confit I’m at about 13K with close to 3000 pin weight ...

I’m comfortable with this, have towed all over the west... I’m aware of what is on my door sticker...

In my case with my truck I would not tow a 40 foot fifth wheel..
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Old 08-09-2018, 08:29 PM   #11
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Quote:
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There are so many pretty fifth wheels out there.. I have a 3/4 ton duramax short bed 4x4 and we looked at Montana and Alpines... both are heavy with a lot of pin weight empty.

For that reason we bought the smallest Alpine at 34 feet, empty weight 11.5K with 2490 pin weight... loaded up for our standard traveling confit I’m at about 13K with close to 3000 pin weight ...

I’m comfortable with this, have towed all over the west... I’m aware of what is on my door sticker...

In my case with my truck I would not tow a 40 foot fifth wheel..
We are two that tow over GVWR, both telling that your new 5er is too much for you your 2500, that should be a bit of a wake up! I gave you a the benefit of only carrying less than half of the 5er Payload, please understand too much 5er for a SRW!
Do you have many miles on the TV? Think about trading back for DRW TV with the carrying capacity for that 5er, or pick a smaller 5er.
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:14 PM   #12
Bob Bo
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Alright, now that you guys have made it clear that my 2500 isn't going to work. Can I get some feedback on a potential tradeup before I make another mistake?

Its still not a DRW, but
2018 Ram 3500
6.7L Diesel
Automatic
4x4
Short Bed
Crew Cab

GVRW: 11,700
Payload: 3,930
GCRW: 25,300
Max TWR: 17,060
GAWR Front: 6,000
GAWR Rear: 7,000

I understand its still an SRW, I'm trying to solve the problem I've got now. If I'm still over my head, I'll stop bothering you all.
Seriously, thanks
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:34 PM   #13
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Here is a a very good weight calculator site. Click on this link.... http://fifthwheelst.com/ and when the page loads, go to the top of the page and click on the 4 Step Weight Safety Plan. Print out the worksheet, then follow the instructions, putting in all the number that is required and at the end, you will have the numbers you need to determine whether or not you are OK weight-wise or not. It will take a little time, but it is an excellent calulator and the bottom line is that the number don't lie.......you are either OK or you aren't. Hope this help.
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:50 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bo View Post
Alright, now that you guys have made it clear that my 2500 isn't going to work. Can I get some feedback on a potential tradeup before I make another mistake?

Its still not a DRW, but
2018 Ram 3500
6.7L Diesel
Automatic
4x4
Short Bed
Crew Cab

GVRW: 11,700
Payload: 3,930
GCRW: 25,300
Max TWR: 17,060
GAWR Front: 6,000
GAWR Rear: 7,000

I understand its still an SRW, I'm trying to solve the problem I've got now. If I'm still over my head, I'll stop bothering you all.
Seriously, thanks
Well,,, I'd never suggest do or don't. My truck payload is a little less, GAWRs are the same, GCWR a little less, max trailer 15,200. Loaded ready to snowbird just under 14K. Pulled over 14K miles in the last year being very close to payload and 42' long. Don't think it could be better towing! Lighter than you. If you trade you are committed.
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Old 08-09-2018, 11:04 PM   #15
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Just went through this with my DD, she just bought a four horse slant GN with small living quarters aluminum trailer. Weighs about 6,500# Dry and 12,000# GVWR, trailer wheels way at the back. Towing home I had about 2,600# on the pin. She wants to tow to BC where they scale TV GVWR needed to convenience her that only a DRW TV would cover the
Possible pin weights.
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Old 08-10-2018, 12:05 AM   #16
Bob Bo
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Thanks for the posts guys, I've learned across 4 forums that I have to eat this mistake.

Thanks again,
Bob
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Old 08-10-2018, 03:08 AM   #17
Dave W
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Bob, I'm surprise that your dealer didn't tell you that a 150/1500 could haul that monster 5er. We were told once that a 35' 5er could be hauld by what we had at the time, my daily criver, a low end F150 as far as capacity. We didn't buy, of course but waited until we had enough truck.

You can never have too much truck. I suspect th1e Montana folks told you that you needed a dually, and if we were to buy a 3810, would be considering that size but the SRW 3500 long bed, quite possibly with air bags and, hopefully with the OEM 5er package will do just fine
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Old 08-10-2018, 03:41 AM   #18
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Bob.....With a trailer that weighs in as much as the one that you've got ordered.....or for any trailer for that matter, it's always a good idea to view the potential weight that you can be pulling. In the case of the Montana 3810MS, that is 16,750 lbs....that's the empty weight and the Cargo Carrying Capacity. That number, times 20% would put you at 3350 lbs before you start adding everything else......5ver hitch, passenger(s) weight, tool box, tools, firewood, grill, extra stuff,.....anything and EVERYTHING that goes either in or on the truck......and only YOU know how much extra "stuff" you will be transporting and the weight of you and your passenger(s). Granted, that calculation (16,750 times 20%) is an estimate, that number also serves as a guide to know that you have the potential to load the trailer to that weight....thus guiding you to hopefully buy the correct truck to be able to handle THAT amount of weight. No one goes camping with an empty trailer, and only YOU know how much that you will load it when you do go. The point is that it will be somewhere between empty (not much chance of that) and completely maxed out.....ONLY YOU will know what all you will take and how loaded it will be. That is why, as a general rule, most of the experienced folks will always tell you, use the GVWR of the trailer and multiply x 20% to get the pin weight numbers......that is your starting point. Then by adding in everything else (what I stated above) you will have a pretty realistic number of where you will be weight-wise when you are ready to hit the road. If you've done your homework correctly and responsibly, you will know that you need a truck that is capable of of carrying (payload) xxxx lbs.

I can honestly say, you are most likely in Dually territory from a Cargo Carrying Capacity standpoint. The possible exception to this is if you are OK with a really stripped down truck.....basically the "work truck" type vehicle that has almost zero options and is just a basic truck. These trucks have the most payload capacity available because they don't have all the "goodies" on them that most of us like, thus the greater CCC or payload. All those extra goodies take up valuable weight capacity away from the total, so a truck without all of that will naturally have more payload. I can say a couple of things here.....with a trailer that size, I would personally opt for a truck that has some buffer or extra payload available...even when you've got it loaded to the gills. I would also prefer the Dually from a stability standpoint. You will have a lot of trailer behind you and for the safest and most enjoyable experience, having something to tow it the easiest way possibly, is going to be the Dually.....extra payload capacity and added stability from having two tires/wheels in the back.
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Old 08-10-2018, 06:20 AM   #19
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Bob Bo,
I feel your pain. Dealer told me I had enough truck also. I knew I was close and yes the TV did tow and stop the 5er. The (previous) truck didn't "like" it,but it did it. Being so close to the max I knew I had to upgrade my TV.
The jury is in and has spoken. That is a lot of trailer you have,but you know that.
I think your present TV is new enough that the "sting" (trade up cost to DRW) wont be so bad. Especially since dealers are looking to move new 2018 stock prior to the 2019 inventory arriving, I may be a little behind on this,but I'm sure you will find a deal. Shop around and consider the factory air bag system as well as the tow package options.
One pressing question though. The "weight police" have been mentioned a few times on here. Would they also be known as the "Keystone Cops"?
RMc
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Previous TV:
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Present TV:
2018 Ram 3500 SRW 6.7L CTD HO CC SB Aisin Trans -Fifth Wheel Tow Package- Air Lift Bags (ordered for rear)
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Old 08-10-2018, 07:22 AM   #20
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Take it from a guy who bought 4 trucks in 8 years.
Just bite the bullet and get a dually.
Don't be like me!
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